Direction signal



Jan.9,1923,

P. W. PADDEN ET AL.

DIRECTION SIGNAL.

FILED NOV. 5,1920.

ll atented tllanvll, ltd v tar application file To all whom it may concern: 7

Be it known that PALEICK- WV. .lhlDDEN and ORLAND C; htnrnonns, citizens of the United States, residing at Maumee, in, the

county of Luc and State oi? E'llhimhave invented. certain new and useful Improvements in Direction Signals, ofywhich the followingis a specification 1 M i 1 i 3 This: invention relates to improvements in direction signals for motor vehicles, and has for its primary object to ,provide an improved signal capable of being mounted uponaconspicuous portion of a motor vehicle and to embody improved. features of construction and control so that the operator of the vehicle by operating the signal will be enabled to clearlynotify adjacentpersons or vehicle operators as to the exact course or contemplated movements of direction or control on thepart of the vehicle carrying the signal. I

In carrying out the invention use is made of a signal or direction indicator ot the character stated wherein is embodied a casing capable of being secured to one of the fenders of a motor vehicle,or in any other desired position, said casing having rotatablyjournaled therein a crank shaft to which a .signalarm is fixed, whereby upon the rotation o-fsaid shaft the arm maybe swung to assume active or inactive signalling positions, said crank shaft being. actuated by means ofan electromagnet located within the casing and with which a, movable armature is connected, the latter in turn being connected with said crank shaft, in such manner that when said may; not is excited. theiarmature will be attracted thereto so as to: effect the rotation of said shaft and the consequent raising of the signalling arm to an active position,the weight of the armbeing such that when the magnet is (ls-energized, the said arm will gravitate and will thereby automatically assume an inactive position. a Uther specific objects of the invention re side inithe provision of a vehicle signal wherein is embodied an improved mounting for'the rotatable crank shaft, the mounting being; such that theelement of friction in volved in effecting itsrotatable support will be reduced to a minimum so that but a relatively small amount of electric current will be needed in effecting the rotationof the shaftgin providing an improved connection between the inner end of the signalling arm,

IDIIBL'EGTIEON SIGNAL.

dll'ovember 5, 1920. Serial No. 4531313.

I and, the crank shaft so that the momentum of the arm when oscillated repeatedly and brought to abrupt stops will not be sutlicient to disrupt the rigid connection between the inner end of the arm and the crank shaft; in forming: the armature construction in the nature of a weight, so that the weight of the signalling arn'i will be substantially counterbalanced, a feature which materially contributes toward rendering the signal economical to operate, particularly from a standpoint of current consumption; inisecurely housing and mounting the operating parts of the signal so that said parts will not be exposed to the detrimental effects of dust, dirt and the elements; and in finally providing the casing with a source of illumination operative upon the raising of the signalling arm to illuminate the latter, whereby said arm may be utilized efliciently at night as well as for day operation. a y 1 With these and other objects in view, as will appear asthe description proceeds, the invention accordingly consists in the novel features 'of construction,combinations of elements and arrangements of parts, here: inafter to be fully described and pointed out in the claim hereunto appended.

ltn the accompanying drawing, forming a part ofthis specification andin which similar characters of reference denote like and correspondin parts throughout the several views thereor; u i p y i Figure lie at front elevation of a motor driven vehicle and illustrating particularly the application and use of the direction signal comprising the present invention thereto, lligure 2 is a vertical sectional view talren through theydirection signal and illustratlng specifically the construction: of enclosed parts, i I i Figure 3 is a transverse horizontal sec tional view disclosing the construction for rotatably supporting the crank shaft, and Figure t is a detail perspective vlew of the crank shaft. l Referring more particularly to the accom panying drawing, the numeral 1 designates the improved d rection signal comprising the present invention in its entirety. ln the form of the invention disclosed, this signal consists of a casing 2, which in this instance is in thenature of a tubular standard. In order that the signal may be conspicuously carried by a motor vehicle, the lower end of the standard is suitably threaded as at fitting 8, whose horizontal branch 7 ternally threaded to receive a removable end and that by reason of the 4 so as to be received within a flanged collar 5, the latter being riveted or otherwise positively secured to the fender 6 of a motor vehicle 7. In practice, it will be under stood that a part of the signals 1 is mounted upon a vehicle, in order that the signals may be used effectively and clearly for denoting various contemplated movements on the part of the vehicle. Since the signals are of identical construction it will only be necessary to describe one ofthe same for convenience in description.

The upper end of the standard 2 threaded toreceive a substantially T is shaped 9 is inplate 10. Located in longitudinal axial relation' with the longitudinal axis of the branch 9 is a threaded bore 11, formed in one of the walls of the fitting 8, said bore being arranged to receive an adjustable screw 12 having a pointed inner end 13, disposed within said fitting, the outer end of said screw being arranged to project exteriorly of the fitting and in this instance is equipped with a locknut ll whereby the adjustment ofthe screw,12 may be maintained. Disposed to be received by the pointed end 13 of the screw 12 is a pocket or depression 15 provided in one end of a crank shaft 16. This shaft extends axially of the branch 9 and is in turn provided at its other end with'a pointed extremity 17., so disposed as to be received within a depression 18 provided in the inner face of the removable end plate 10. Manifestly, by this construction the crank shaft may be rotatably supported within the fitting 8, point bearings disclosed, the element of friction involved in effecting its rotation will be of an inconsequential nature. By rendering the I screw12 adjustable the shaft may be readily adjusted and properly tat'ion.

Fixed to the shaft 16 is a flanged hub 19.

trued for correct ro- 7 which latter is connected with the shaft 16 for rotation in unison therewith, either a key or a set screw may be employed to produce this connection. The fiange'of the hub 19 issuitably bored to receive screws 20, which are employed for the purpose offastening the inner end' of a signalling arm 21 1n rigid and secured relationship with the'crank shaft. As will be hereinafter explaine'd," the arm 21 oscillates swiftly, and 1s; abruptly brought to a signalling or horizontal position. Themomentum set up by the oscillation of the arm in past structures hasfrequently resulted in the loosening of the arm upon the shaft 16, or an equivalent member, and it is to overcome this loosenmg that-theghub and screw connection 19 and- 20 "respectively is provided. The arm: itself may be of any suitable construction or of any desired length, in this instance the length thereof being determined by the distance between the crank shaft 16 and the fender, since normally the arm will assume a vertical position and will drop by gravity so as to extend vertically and parallel with the standard 2. The inner end of the arm is reduced so as to pass through an arcuate slot 22 provided in the bottom of the fitting 8 or more specifically the wall of the branch 9, this construction enables the shaft 16 t be entirely enclosed or in other words t avoid exposed or exterior parts. The exposed portions of the arm 21 may he slidably designed, colored or provided with any desired indicia whereby the directions indicated by the arm may be suitably emphasized and called to the attention of sun rounding persons. By removing the plate 10, the parts contained within the lifting S will be rendered conveniently accessible.

To effect the rotation of the shaft 16 and consequentli the operation of the signalling arm 21, one end of said crank shaft is provided with a crank arm 23 to the outer end oi which is pivotally connected a link 21. the latter being disposed to extend downwardly and to be received within the bifurcated end 25 of a soft iron weight 26 which norn'ially hangs from the link 24: within the standard tube. The weight of the arm 21 slightly exceeds that of the weight 26 and consequently said arm will normally gravr fate to a lowered inactive position, however. after upward movement on the part of said arm has been initiated by a slight extraneous power, the weight 26 will be snfiieient to revolve said arm to its raised or active position. In other words, the weight 26 substantially counterbalances the arm 21, permitting the latter to swing freely around its point hearings to be capable of being readily actuated. In this instance the bottom of the standard 2 is provided with an electromagnet 27 which has a range of attraction capable of operating upon the weight 26, which in effect constitutes an armature. The wings of the magnet 27 may constitute a part of a suitably energized circuit capable of being controlled by the will of the ve hicle operator, the arrangement being such that when said magnet, or its crpiivalent, is energized, the weight 26 will be attracted thereto, causing a downward, pull on the link 24, which by with the arm 23, will. effect the rotation of the shaft 16. Obviously, upon the rotation of the shaft 16 the arm 21 will be elevated so as to assume it signalling position. \Vhen de-energized, the weight of the arm 21 is sufficient to effect the automatic raising of the weight 26 and, also, to allow the arm to assume its inactive position by responding to gravitation.

The upper end of the fitting 8 is equipped reason of its connection i flt) v.Mr)

eaner? with a removable plug 28, which carries a small incandescent bulb 29, the latter carrying Wires 30, Whlch are connected with the Wings of the magnet 27, so that When the latter is energized, the bulb 29 Will be energized to illuminate the arm 21, thus render ing the latter clearly discernible during periods of directions. it shield 31 may be employed to surround the bulb 29 in order to protect the latter against accidental injury.

From the foregoing description taken in conjunction With the accompanying drau ing, it is believed that the construction, operation and advantages of the invention Will be clearly understood by those versed in the art. In the form of the invention disclosed a pair oi the signals 1 have been mounted upon the fender construction of the vehicle 7. While the use of the signals in this position may be admirably carried out, yet, it should be understood that said signals are capable of being mounted at other conspicuous points upon a motor vehicle such, for example, the roar fenders, or the Windshield construction. llloreover, it will be understood that the magnets of the signals may be suitably Wired in connection With the source of electrical energy, so that by the actuation of manual switches, conveniently located With respect to the vehicle operator, the said signals may be either simultaneously or selecti vel y actuated to denote intended directions to be pursued by the vehicle. By reason of its construction, the signal Inav be readily manufactured and applied to the average motor vehicle, and by reason of the features of construction above pointer out, the tip-keep or operation of the signal may be efi'ected positively and economically.

What is claimed is:

In a direction signal, a tubular standard, a substantially "l" shaped fitting carried by the upper end of said standard, a removable plate carried by said fitting, an operating shaft, disposed transversely of the casing and having one end pivotally supported in the fitting and the other end supported by the plate, a signalling arm connected with said shaft and arranged to project through an arcuate slot provided in said fitting, a counterbelancing member movably mounted Within said standard and having; a linked connection with. said shaft, and an electro responsive device positioned within said standard and co-oj mrative with said cou11- terbalancing member to effect the rotation of said shaft.

lln testimony whereof We aliix our signatures.

PATRICK W. PADDEN. ORLAND O. REYNOLDS. 

